Fragile X premutations and (TA)n estrogen receptor polymorphism in women with ovarian dysfunction

We studied five groups of women with ovarian dysfunction for the CGG; expan sion in FMR1 and a (TA)n polymorphism in the estrogen receptor gene : a) po or responders to ovarian stimulation as part of in vitro fertilization (n = 13); b) women with familial premature ovarian failure (POF) (n = 7); c) sp oradic cases with POF (n = 16); d) FRAXA premutation carriers with POF (n = 7); and e) FRAXA premutation carriers without POF (n = 9), FRAXA premutati on was found in one woman with familial POF. A significant association of f amilial POF and FRAXA premutation carriers with POF having low copy of the (TA)n polymorphism as compared to controls was observed, Our preliminary da ta suggest a potential role of the estrogen receptor in POF, and it may inf luence the variable age of menopause of the FRAXA premutation carriers. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.